Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster

27/06/2016

"The Aquino administration made significant strides in addressing human trafficking—particularly in the area of prosecution. Yet the inordinate complications within our judicial system keep such cases from moving quickly and effectively. Slow litigation is blatantly unfavorable to the poor, who cannot afford to spend years on trial. It quickly exhausts their meager resources even as it bars them from holding down stable jobs. Moreover, the government’s fixation on prosecution has come at the expense of advocacy, prevention, and protection... [n]o funds were allocated for advocacy and communication, making meaningful preventive measures difficult."

About a year ago, the case of Mary Jane Veloso—convicted in Indonesia for drug trafficking after she had obviously been set up—exploded in the news.

20/06/2016

"What does the future hold for an administration that, from the outset, appears divided between a presidency intent upon rehabilitating a dictator, and a vice-presidency committed to fighting its return? Will Duterte and Robredo be able to find common ground and set aside their differences? Will there be policies, especially regarding poverty alleviation and women’s rights where they might effectively join forces for the next six years? And how will they deal with the unrelenting ambitions of the Marcoses? How much of an obstacle will Bongbong be in forging a united government that will focus on the pressing needs of the nation? Will the country’s needs overcome personal ambitions, or will the narcissistic desire for political power with which to hold on to stolen loot undercut national purpose?"

The political lines taking shape in the aftermath of our national election are beginning to reveal more about the character and attitude of our newly-elected politicians than their campaign promises ever fully managed to do.

13/06/2016

Why the persistence of human trafficking?

"A key obstacle to dealing with trafficking has been the prevailing culture of impunity among government officials, especially in our Embassies. Embassy officials are charged with helping abused OFWs, and most of them do decent work. However, there have also been systemic problems. The most glaring examples of this culture of impunity were the cases of trafficking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait involving Philippine Embassy and Labor officials. In the wake of revelations during several Congressional hearings of cases involving sex-for-flight, as well as labor and sexual abuse of rescued victims by Embassy officials who were supposed to care for them, only one official was actually charged. But, in the end, he was only charged with administrative neglect rather than a criminal offense."

Despite its limited resources, the Philippines is now counted among the countries with “the strongest responses” to the crisis of human trafficking.

06/06/2016

Federalism: Panacea or problem for regional development?

In the final analysis, federalism offers no cure for political dynasties. It’s more likely to allow greater hoarding of wealth and influence among them, further discouraging political competition at the cost of local development. By increasing their autonomy and removing mechanisms of accountability, federalism would tighten dynastic grip to the detriment of their communities. There is a strong possibility that federalism would effectively put an end to passing the Anti-Political Dynasty bill, the Freedom of Information bill, and the Political Party Development Act of 2014—all currently languishing in Congress.

Will federalism be the long-sought solution to addressing discrepancies in regional development, or will it further exacerbate existing problems?

30/05/2016

Illegal drugs: Is tougher enforcement the-best solution?

Simply put, the drug problem is not one that a government can arrest or kill its way out of, however populist such a stance might be. It is unlikely that the dehumanizing effects of drug addiction will be solved by strategies that are themselves deeply dehumanizing and ultimately illiberal. After all, drug dependents don’t lose their rights, especially if they are “dual diagnosed”—being saddled with substance addiction at the same time that they suffer from mental illness. As one Portuguese physician told The New Yorker in an evaluation of Portugal’s drug policy, “I prefer moderate hope and some likelihood of success to the dream of perfection and the promise of failure.”

Fighting illegal drugs, alongside tackling poverty, is the centerpiece of Duterte’s platform.

27/05/2016

Assistant Secretary Lila Ramos Shahani, Head of Communications of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster, guested in Channel News Asia's Between The Lines on May 25, 2016. The other guests were Architect and Urban Planner Jun Palafox and Vince Lazatin of the Transparency and Accountability Network. The topic was on poverty in the Philippines.

23/05/2016

Fighting poverty under Aquino: A balanced assessment

"Clearly, the outgoing administration made notable strides in fighting poverty and sustaining robust economic growth. But, despite the achievements like the 4Ps, PhilHealth and the record levels of GDP growth, the net effect has not been enough to offset current poverty and generate inclusive growth."

Thirty years after EDSA, poverty continues to be one of the country’s greatest challenges.

16/05/2016

Election observations

As to what kind of “pagbabago” this election will produce is something we are about to discover soon. Given the tone and tenor of the transitional team of Duterte, it now seems more likely that there will be greater continuity than change, at least on the level of policy. He seems bent on preserving the civil service bureaucracy, which is good.

What else did the 2016 elections tell us?

09/05/2016

Philippine elections 2016: Time to choose more women?

For women—and all the men and LGBT’s who support them—it is time, this very day, for us to take stock of how we regard women in Filipino politics. I am not saying that we should vote for women because they are “naturally” better leaders, by definition. But I do believe that strong, competent women tend to put passionate care into governance, especially for the marginalized and the poor. As Senate candidate Susan Ople puts it, “in the national conscience, those who deeply understand problems of society are often women.”

Today’s presidential front-runner has astonished the world with his blatant disregard for women’s rights.

02/05/2016

Vote buying and electoral reform

"Once enough of them actually feel the effects of our underfunded anti-poverty and development programs—once positive change comes to their lives, in short—the pessimism and despair will no longer be such a strong driver because, like the rest of us, they will simply want to be better served by the government."

It’s a week before elections and, if you’re not yet aware of vote buying, you may just have been living under a rock.

28/04/2016

Housing informal settlers in the coming years

"The worldwide phenomenon of urbanization is driven by a desire to escape dire poverty in the countryside. Over the years, a steady influx of people flooded Metro Manila in the hopes of finding decent jobs. The poorest often settled in “squatter areas”—idle government and private lots; near esteros and other waterways; beneath bridges; beside railways; even in public cemeteries."

Like all human rights, however, housing security for the majority of our people has been difficult to achieve.

28/04/2016

The Southern question: Poverty and violence in Mindanao

"Despite its vast natural resources and agricultural potential, Mindanao remains the poorest section of the country. Eleven out of the 20 poorest provinces are in this region, with poverty incidences ranging from 44.9 percent (Zamboanga Sibugay) to 74.3 percent (Lanao del Sur). With poverty, hunger, and the lack of economic opportunity strongly felt in these areas, the youth are easily recruited to “live by the gun.” The disparity in access and control over economic and political issues also makes the situation ripe for separatist or class-based armed conflict. Worse, entrenched corruption exists at various levels of governance."

Human rights offenses are claimed by advocates on all sides, but least discussed of all, perhaps, is who exactly is fighting for what in Mindanao.